Railway-switch or the like.



W. A. AUSTIN.

RAILWAY SWITCH 0R THE LIKE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JAN. a1, 1910.

1,090, 188, Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

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4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. A. AUSTIN.

RMLWAY SWITCH 0R THB LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31,1910. 1,090,1 88.

W. A. AUSTIN.

RAILWAY SWITCH 0R THE LIKE.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN s1 1910. 1,090,188. Patented Mar.17,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

Q fw//ZZ-i' 65M@ J? M W. A. AUSTIN.

RAILWAY SWITCH 0R THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED .11111.31, 1910.

y 1,090,188. Patented Mar.17,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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WILSON A. AUSTIN, 0F OMAHA, NEBRASKA, ASSIGrNOR OF ONE-HALF TO A. T. AUSTIN, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

RAILWAY-SWITCH OR THE LIKE.

Lesaise.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 17,1914.

Application filed January 31, 1910. Serial No. 541,018.

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, ViLsoN A. AUSTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Switches or the like, of which the following is a description.

My `invention belongs to that class of devices known as ailway switches or the like and relates more particularly to a coupling or connection between the throw rod for operating the movable rail part, or said movable rail part in a railway switch, derail or the like and the actuating mechanism. It is particularly adapted for use for connecting the motor shaft and throw rod in an electrically operated switch or derail, changing the rotary movement of the motor shaft into a longitudinal movement of the throw rod as well as permitting the accelera tion of the motor before taking up its load in moving the switch points. It is also provided with means for preventing shocks to the motor at the beginning and end of the movement of the rail parts.

The device may be used to great advantage iii a system similar to that described in my pending application filed October lll, 1909, Serial No. 522,553, but it slionld be distinctly understood that Vthe use of the connection is not confined to switch mechanisms or the like, as it is obvious that the same may be used wherever it may be found applicable.

My invention has among its objectsthe production of a simple, convenient, e'licient and satisfactory device of the kind described.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to Vthe drawings in which like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, Figure l is a plan view of the motor, throw rod and connecting means, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially online 2-2 of Fig. l, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3--3 of Fig. 2, Fig. -l is an enlarged sectional View a portion of the connection or coupling, Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. et, Fig. (3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line (5--6 of Fig. ll, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the part 32 looking in a direction indicated by the arrows 7--7 in Fig. il, Fig. 8 is a perspective .View of the part 3l looking in a direction indicated by the arrows 8-8 in Fig. l, and Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 1. Fig. l() is a diagrairimatic view showing one way of electrically connecting and operating the switch or derail.

Referring to the drawings, the switch mechanism casing 13 is shown in which the coupling or connection is arranged. The .motor llt is provided with a suitable driving shaft 27 and the throw rod is represented by the numbers 12 and Q4, it being understood that the same is suitably connected to the movable rail part l in any suitable way, as for example, as shown in my application previously mentioned, so that longitudinally moving the throw rod moves the rail part to which the same is secured. The arrangement would be substantially the saine for the movable part in a derail.

'lhe present invention relates particularly to means for connecting' the motor shaft 27 and the throw rod Qlso that the rotary movement of the motor shaft is transformed into a longitudinal movement of the throw rod, the same being preferably arranged so -that the motor armature may rotate a turn or so before picking up the load, the load being picked up and dropped without any shock to the motor shaft.

cferring particularly to Figs. l and 2, lis a shaft suitably connected with the motor shaft 27, preferably in a manner hereinafter described and arranged to be driven thereby. lhe shaft l is threaded as indicated at 5 and arranged to copeiate with a suitable sleeve (S arranged on the rod 241, the sleeve being shown separable from the rod and se cured thereto by nieans of a pin 7. It will thus be seen that this connection issubstaiitially a threaded bolt arranged on one part and a cooperating engaging part arranged on the other part, as shown, on the rotating part and movable rod respectively. Any equivalent construction may be employed for the purpose, or the sleeve niodilied as desired. It is of course obvious that as the shaft l is rotated in one direction or the other, the same being prevented from moving longitudinally as hereinafter described, the sleeve 0 secured to the rod 2a will travel along the shaft 1 so that the throw rod is positively and directly moved longitudinally, thereby moving the movable rail part. Any suitable means may be employed for preventing rotation of the r d 241, a suitable lrey 4-3 engaging the sleeve 1 being shown for the purpose.

My preferred construction for permitting the acceleration of the motor armature before picking up the load and preventing any shock on the motor at the beginning or end of the travel of the movable rail part, is most clearly shown in Figs. l to 8. Referring to these figures, 3 is a suitable member arranged on and secured to the shaft 2'? by means of a pin 9 or the equivalent for the purpose. rlhe shaft 1 is suitably supported by means of a bracket or bearing 2 carried by the casing 13 or by its equivalent for the purpose. On the shaft 1 is arranged a pluiso rality of members, the member 17 being secured to the shaft and preferably extended as shown at 30 and provided with a suitable pin 33 or its equivalent. Parts 19, 20, 21, 23, oo, 20 and ball bearings 29 and 23 are also preferably provided at the bearing 2 and arranged to coperate with the shoulder on the shaft 1 and the member 17 to prevent friction due to the thrust of the shaft 1 during the operation of the device. Any equivalent means may be provided for the purpose. On the extension 30 are preferably arranged members 31 and 32. The member 31 is provided with slots 39 and 11 preferably on each side thereof, shown, and the member 32 is provided with a pin L10 preferably eX- tending through each side thereof. The pin 33 on the member 17 is arranged to extend into the slot or groove while one end of the pin 10 extends into the slot 11. if-ilso arranged on the shaft 1 and preferably eX- tending over, as at 341-, is a member 33 provided with a suitable slot or groove 112 arranged to coperate with the pin 40. Suitable plates 11 and 15 are arranged on the extension 311, a portion of the same being extended and notched and arranged to cooperate with the extensions 10 of the member 3 (see Figs. 4E and 5). A collar 36 loosely arranged on the extension 31 is norm ally maintained in contact with the desired dislr by means of a resilient member 37 cooperating with the collar 35, the several parts forming a friction clutch.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for controlling the motor, the preferred construction comprising mechanism substantially similar to that mentioned and de scribed in my pending application before referred to or in the application of Charles C. Anderson, Serial No. $3,073, filed @ctober 16, 1909. Referring to the drawings,

mechanism somewhat y similar to that described in my own application is shown in part in detail and in the diagrammatic view in Fig. 10. 1n the present application, however, suitable switch members 141 and L15 are provided, the saine being shown arranged within and adjustably carried by the casing 13. As most clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 10, the members 44 and L15 carry suitable switch members 55 and 551 and contact members 50, 51, 52 and 53, and 501, 511, 521 and A suitable movable member 16 (similar to member 9.8 in my application mentioned) is carried by the throw rod 3, the same being suitably secured to the sleeve 6 by a bracket 47 or its equivalent for the purpose. rlhe movable member 46 carries con tact pieces l13 and 41.9 which coperate with the Contact members 50, 51, etc., and is also arranged to operate suitable pins 57 and 571 which control the switch members 1 5 and 551 (the pins 57 and 571 are indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 10 by the small eX- tensions 5'? and 571). As the throw rod travels in one direction or the other the member lo carried thereby opens Vand closes certain circuits, as more fully described in the operation of the device. A. suitable pole changer P is also provided (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 10), the same being suitably connected with the motor, the switch members just mentioned and the tower or controlling point. Briefly, the pole changer may be said to consist (referring to Fig. 10) of suitable solenoids 53 and 581 which control suitable switch members 63 and 681 which cooperate with suitable contact points and close or open the circuits as more fully explained in the operation of the device.

lt might be noted that the apparatus at the tower T may be of any suitable form, a double throw switch being` shown for opening and closing the several circuits, the preferred construction comprising an arrange ment in which only one circuit may be closed at the same time. Also the indicating apparatus shown in Fig. 10 at lthe tower is indicated diagrammatically by the coil 119, it being understood that any suitable apparatus applicable for the purpose may be used. y

The reference character B indicates a battery, dynamo or any equivalent or suitable source of power.

The operation of the device may be briefly described as follows: Assuming for example the electrical connections to be as mentioned, the proper operating circuit is closed so that the motor is driven in the required direction. As the parts are shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the movable rail part 4:1 is in what l have heretofore called a reverse position, that is, at the limit of its travel away from the motor. lReferring then to the diagrammatic view, Fig. 10, three wires 0K1, 89 and 128 lead from the point from which the appa 'atus is controlled, as for example from the switch, to the tower mechanism. The movable rail part being in the position shown the member 10 carrying the contact members il-8 and L19 is in its position making contact between members 50L and t11 and 521, 581, switch 551 being open. Assuming that fthe main switch S at the tower is thrown as indicated by thc dotted lines in Fig. 10, thereby closing what may be termed the normal controllingl or operating circuit which includes conductors 12) and 9-1, which last mentioned conductor is common to both circuits. Starting,` from the battery or dynamo B the circuit may then be traced as follows: B, 80, 87, 128, 128, 129, 5G, 55, 180, 581, 131, 98, 91, 95 and B. This energizes solenoid 581 and raises member 081, Contact member 82 closing,r a circuit between Contact points 78 and 80 and contact member 88 closing a circuit between contact members 79 and 81. The motor operating circuit may then be traced as tollows: 13, 8G, 87, 128, 128, 124, 78, 82, 80, 132, 107, 10G, 105, 104, 103, armature A, 102, 101, 100, 00, es, 133, 7o, se, s1, 134-, 110, 111, 11e, 118, 111, 115, 911, 95 and B. This causes the motor to operate in the reverse direction throwing the movable rail parts toward thc motor. At the limit ot their travel contact is broken between members and 50, breaking the circuit which ei'iergizos the solenoid 581. Member G81 therefore drops, breaking the motor circuit last mentioned and closing the indicating, circuit between points 811- and 85 so that the indicating` eiri cuit may then be traced as follows: armature A, 10s, 104, 105, 10e, 135, 51, is, 5e, 13e, sa, ses- 1, 137, 041, e0, so, 1es,1e1 ,1e0,110, 11s, 041,115, 1111,11, 113, 11e, 111, 1:19, .sz-nio, 52, 140, 99, 100, 101, 102, armature A, thus indicating` that the switch or derail has been closed. r1`he motor being operated as men tioned or as shown in the drai'ving's, in` the direction ott' the arrow shown in Fig'. 0, the member 33 driven through the friction clutch will then rotate until the pin f1() is engaged at the opposite end ot the slot 112. whereupon the member 32 will be rotated carrying the pin l10 around until the oppo site end of the pin engages the opposite end o1 the slot 11 in the member 31. The member will then be rotated until the opposite end ot the slot engages the pin 88 in the member 17, thereby rotating the sha'tt 1 to which the same is secured. The shatt 1 beingl driven and maintained against long1itudinal movement as mentioned will throw the sleeve G in one direction or the other dcpending upon the thread :3, as shown toward the motor 14, thereby moving the movable switch part or derail, 1t will thus be seen liiickingup its load. Owing to the friction clutch mentioned it will also be noted that the motor does not pick up its load with a shock, nor is .it abruptly stopped when the switch points or derail reach the end ot travel and the operatingcircuit :is broken. 1t is obvious that the motor shal't 27 might be connected directly to the shatt 1 or be formed integral therewith, or that the friction clutch mentioned might be arrai'igcd di rectly within shai't 27 and shaft 1 and the slot and pin crmnection omitted. The circuits for throwing the throw rod in the opposite direction, assuming them to be at the `lett ot the last operation, may be traced as :follows: The switch S l at the tower is thrown as shown in the full lines in Fig. 10, thereby closing the reverse controlling or operating circuit which includes conductors 89 and 91. Starting;` from the battery or dynamo Il the circuits may bc traced as follows: B, 80, 87, 88, 89, 00, 501, 551, 01, solenoid 58, 92, 93, 9-1, 95 and B, energizing' solenoid 5S and raising member 08 closing the circuits through (541;, 00 and (32 and 05, 07 and (33. This closes the motor circuit which may be traced as follows: l, 80, 8T, se, se, 00, 011, 0c, ce, at, as, 00, 10e, 101., 102, armature A, 103, 101, 105, 100, 107, 108, 05, (37, G3, 109, 110, 11.1, 112, 113, lields F, 111, 115, 911, 95 and ll. This causes the motor to operate and rotate sha'tt 27 in a reverse direction than heretofore described, thus n'ioving,l the throw rod in the opposite direction through the various connections heretofore mentioned in substantially the same manner. lVhen the movable rail part reaches the limit o1 travel the member al; operates the pin 571, thereby operatingy the switch member 551 and bre; kino' the circuit energiziimi the solenoid 58. This circuit beingbroken the member (S8 drops, breaking' the several circuits at points 0-1- and 02, and 65 and G3 and closing a circuit between contact points 73 and member (3G and contact point 72. The indicating circuit may be traced as follows: armature A, 102, 101, 100, 11G, 521, 19, 5:11, 117, 11e, 11a, F, 1111, 11 0.1, 11s, 110, 120, 121, 12e, ies, 1211, 7s, 72, (i0, 73, 120, 5'1, h18, 50, 127. '105, 101, 103 and armatln'e A, thus giving the signal.

lhe movable rail part may he reversed during' its operation in exactly the same way as in my application mentioned and in case the switch points accidentally more so that the switch points or movable rail part and the stock rails or fixed part hecome accidentally spread or separated, the switch or derail will be automatically operated, as also mentioned in my application. The members 11 and 15 may be adtiustei'l relatively to the stock rails as desired or found necessary, it being unnecessary in the case ot' a switch havingl two switch points that the motor takes a turn or so before l to adjust thc points relative to cach other l' tions may be so that a solid spreader bar between the switch points may be used.

Having thus described my invention it is obvious that various immaterial modificamade in the construction and arrangement of the parts shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention, hence l do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact construction, arrangement or combination of parts herein shown or described or uses mentioned.

l/lhat l claim as new and desire to secur by Letters Patent is:

l. in a device of the kind described and in combination, a rotating part, a switch part movable longitudinally of said rotating part, a threaded bolt carried by one part and a cooperating engaging member carried by the other part, and means for positively connecting said rotating part with the part carried thereby after a predetermined rotation of said rotating part-` 2. ln a device of the kind described and in combination, a rotating part, and a longitudinally movable part, a threaded bolt, means for connecting said bolt to the rotating part after a predetermined rotation. thereof, and means carried by said longitudinal movable part for engaging said threaded bolt.

ln a device of the kind described and in combination, a rotatable partand a longitudinally movable switch part and means for transmitting the rotary motion of said rotatable part to said other partv to longitudinally move the same, comprising an externally threaded member, means for positively connecting said member with said rotatable part after a predetermined rotation of said part, and an internally threaded part secured on said switch part and movable therewith.

l. ln a device of the kind described and in combination, a driving shaft and a throw rod, means for operatively connecting said shaft and threw rod, said means comprising a rotatable shaft positively connected with said throw rod and means for operatively connecting the same with said driving shaft after a predetermined rotation of said driving shaft.

ln a device of the kind described and in combination, a plurality of rotatable shafts, means arranged therebetween for positively connecting the same, said connecting` means normally inoperative until a predetermined rotation of the driving shaft in either direction, and comprising a plurality of disks connected by slot and pin connections.

6. ln device of the kind described and in combination, a rotating part, a switch part movable longitudinally of said rotating part, a threaded bolt carried by one part and a cooperating member carried by hoodies the other part, means for driving said rotating part comprising a driving shaft and means for operatively connecting said shaft and said rotating` part after a predetermined rotation of the driving shaft.

7. ln a device of the kind described and` in combination, a rotating part, a switch part movable longitudinally of said rotating part, a threaded bolt carried by one part and a cooperating' member carried by the other part, means for driving said rotating part comprising a driving shaft and means for frictionally connecting said shaft and said rotating part after a predetermined rotation of the driving shaft.

8. ln a device of the kind described and in combination, a rotating part and a longitudinally movable part and means for operatively connecting the same and driving means for said rotating part arranged to operatively engage the part after a predetermined acceleration of the driving means.

9. ln a device of the kind described and in combination, a yloingitudinally movable rod, a rotating shaft operatively connected therewith by substantially a bolt and nut connection and driving means for said rotating shaft comprising a driving shaft and slot and pin connecting means operatively arranged therebetween.

l0. ln a device of the kind describedv and vin combination, a longitudinally movable switch throw rod, a rotatable shaft, means for operatively connecting the same, means for driving said shaft in either direction comprising a motor shaft operatively connested thereto by a pin and slot connection.

ll. ln a device of the kind described and in combination, a longitudinally movable switch throw rod, a rotatable shaft, means for operatively connecting the same, means for 4drivinO said shaft in either direction comprising a driving shaft and means for operatively connecting said shafts, said means comprising friction mechanism and a slot and pin connection.

12. ln a device of the kind described and in combination, a longitudinally movable switch throw rod, a rotatable shaft, means for operatively connecting the same, means for driving said shaft in either direction comprising a driving shaft, connecting means for said shafts, said means arranged to permit a predetermined rotation of the driving shaft before operative engagement with the said rotatable shaft.

13. ln a device of the kind described and Ai combination, a rotating part, a longitudi ally novable part and means for operatively connecting the saine andv driving means for said rotating part arranged to frictionally engage the partafter a predetermined acceleration of the driving means.

le. ln a device of the kind described and in combination, a driving shaft and a longitndinally movable rod and means for operatively connecting the two, said means comprising;I a rotatable shaft operatively connected to said driving shaft arranged to permit the acceleration of 'the driving sha'l't before the operative engagement with said shaft and means for connecting said shaft and said 'throw rod comprising cooperating threads on said parts.

15. in a device oit the kind described and in combination, a driving shaft, a lonnitndinally movable rod, an auxiliary shalt, means ij'or operatively connecting); said auxiliary and said drivingI shaft after the driv ing shaft has rotated a predetermined dis` tance and means for operatively connecting said shait and throw rod.

16. in a device of the kind described and in combination, a rotatable shaft, an anxiliary shai't, means for connecting said shafts comprising i'riction mechanism and means for operatively engaging said friction mechanism and said auxiliary shaLlt after a predetermined rotation of said driving;` sha'l't.

17. In a device of 'the kind described and in combination, ixed and movable raii parts, a throw rod for said movable parts, a rotatable shaft, means for operatively connecting said shaft and throw rod, said means ar ranged to permit a rotation of said shaft before operative engagement with said rod, drivingl means for maid shaft and controlling means therefor operated by said throw rod.

1S. in a device oit' the kind described and in combination, .fixed and movable rail parts,

a throw rod for said movable parts, a rotatable shaft, means 'for operatively connecting said shail't and throw rod, said means arranged to permit the acceleration et said shait beilore operative engagenient with said rod, means :for driving said sha'l't and meehanism :lor controlling said driving means, said mechanism controlled by said throw rod.

it). l'n a device oi' the kind described and in combination, a sha'l't and means for driving` the same in either direction, a longitndinal movable rod, a rotatable shaft provided with threads on one end thereof, means iler positively connecting said shafts after a predel'ermined rotation o'l. said first mentioned shaft, comprising' a plurality ot parts connected by a slot and pin connection, one et' said parts secured to said second mentioned shailt, and another ot' said parts yieldingly secured to said lirst mentioned shail't, and means lor connecting Said second mentioned shaft to said rod comprising` an internally threaded part in threaded cngagement with said second mentioned shaft, and means for securing said part to said rod.

ln testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

lVILSON A. AUSTIN.

lVitnesse/s 1to1 lV. HiLL, Cuantas I. Conn.

Gopie of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

